The treat of infectious disease epidemics has increased the critical need for continuous broad-ranging surveillance of pathogens with outbreak potential. Using metatranscriptomic sequencing of blood samples, we identified several cases of Japanese encephalitis virus infection from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. This discovery highlights the risk for known viral diseases even in nonendemic areas.
Keywords: China; Japanese encephalitis virus; arboviruses; meningitis/encephalitis; metatranscriptomic sequencing; vector-borne infections; viruses.